Hot on the heels of news that the FA in England plan to hold their hearing – finally – into Lucas Paquetá’s ‘yellow card betting scandal’ allegations in March 2025 comes news from Brazil that the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) on the Manipulation of Games and Sports Betting have summoned Paqueta to appear before them later this month.
A report from Brazil’s media outlet ge.globo.com just this afternoon confirmed: “[The hearing regarding] Lucas Paquetá will be heard by the CPI of the Manipulation of Games and Sports Betting on October 29. The president of the CPI, Senator Jorge Kajuru, announced the official summons to the player of West Ham and the Brazilian national team, who will test on the same day as the influencer Deolane Bezerra, involved in another case.” [The businesswoman summoned along side Paquetá’s Uncle](Sportwitness.co.uk)
Quite how this will impact both Paqueta’s playing commitments for West Ham in the meantime, or what effect or impact it will have on the forthcoming FA hearing due in March 2025 is not clear. This is uncharted territory but it seems that, rather than just passing the buck to the English FA, the Brazilian Parliament has decided to hold its own hearing in a matter of weeks.
The report from ge.globo.com continues: “Lucas Paquetá being denounced on suspicion of involvement with a sports betting scheme in English Championship games” – The player’s lawyers declined to comment”.
I am not yet aware of the sanctions available to the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry at the completion of their hearing, depending on their conclusions. Of course, important to state, as always, Paquetá and those accused with him have denied these allegations.
What will happen to the FA inquiry if the Brazilian enquiry gives Paqueta ‘a good bill of health’..?
Be glad when this situation is resolved.